x-pair-o-dice-x

[x-pair-o-dice-x]

About the AO3 "No Guest Comments for a while" warning

If you're not following any of AO3's social media accounts you might be in the dark as to what kind of "spam comments" have engendered this banner at the top of the site:

These spam comments have been posted about a great deal on the AO3 subreddit for the past couple of days. Initially they comprised a bunch of guest (logged out users) bot comments that insulted authors by suggesting they were using AI and not writing their own fics. Some examples, from the subreddit:

But it then escalated to outright graphic porn images and gifs being posted in comments, again by logged out 'Guest' accounts. Obviously, I'm not going to give examples of those, but between these two bot infestations, AO3 has clearly decided to act and has temporarily closed the ability to post comments for users who are not logged in with an AO3 account.

Unfortunately, this means that genuine readers who don't have an AO3 account won't be able to leave comments on fics that they enjoy.

If you are a genuine reader who doesn't yet have an AO3 account, I strongly suggest getting yourself on the waiting list for one. More and more AO3 authors are now locking their fics down to registered users only - either due to these bot comments or concerns about AI scraping their work - which means you're probably missing out on a lot of great stuff.

Hopefully guest commenting will be enabled again at some point soon, but I suggest not waiting until then. Get yourself on that list.

Wait times are going to be longer than usual at the moment, due to the current Wattpad purge [info on Fanlore | Wattpad subreddit thread], but if you're in line, then your invite will come through eventually.

Update: There's now a Megathread about this on the AO3 subreddit.

[x-pair-o-dice-x]

So today I got a rather unkind comment on AO3 (one could call it hate), but I believe it to be a bot for several reasons:

Guest account, but username attached

Said username exists but person is unlikely to be reading Tolkien fic (according to their Tumblr and AO3, they are in other fandoms)

Two grammatically correct sentences

Super generic text that could apply to any fic:

"I've seen better fanfiction written by a toddler. Get it together!"

I'm curious, did anyone else get comments like this? Let me know.

And to those who have gotten rude comments and are now worried/upset: Maybe it was just a bot too. Either way: You're awesome for putting your writing out there for others to enjoy and you don't deserve to get rude comments for it. If you want feel free to message me to compare cases and discuss details :)

[x-pair-o-dice-x]

my favorite part of size fearplay is when things go from “I’m scared” to “I am unfathomably and devastatingly terrified.”. like yeah, obviously a giant would be scary, but I love when there’s a little moment that just shifts the dynamic. the giant stepping on something tiny, or exerting an impossible amount of strength, or just getting visibly angry, something that makes it click in the tiny’s brain how terrifying the giant can actually be. the second the switch flips from intimidated to straight primal fear is just. its so good

[x-pair-o-dice-x]

For the ask game can you do 😅 😈 and🎢? Love your writing btw!

😅 — What's a story or scene you've created that you're a smidge embarrassed exists?

honestly? can’t really think of anything. i mean, maybe if i looked through my works, i’d find something? buuuut i’m lazy,, dkdbdkdbdk.

😈 — Has there been a point in a story where you did something just to be playfully mean to your readers?

mmm… probably the whole “sushi ranboo” thing in by nature? tho,, i’d say that was more me being mean to bn!ranboo than my readers,, dkdndlnd.

🎢 — Which of your fics would you call your wildest ride?

i’ve answered this before, but i think my answer’s still the same- by nature! it’s one of, if not my longest fic on this account, so– yeag.

#asks #thanks for the ask!!!!! i’m glad you enjoy my writing;; ldndkdnxk

[x-pair-o-dice-x]

i've been at this for three hours straight y'all better appreciate this /lh

posted all my wips into my scrap bin! now you can see most of what i had planned! hope y'all enjoy!!!

#mcyt gt #mcyt g/t #my writing #if there's something i've written that wasn't mentioned; feel free to send me an ask and i'll try and talk about it here

[x-pair-o-dice-x]

hey- would you guys be interested in me posting all my wips onto my collection of scrapped fics/prompts fic on ao3?

#the only thing that's really been stopping me from doing it before bc if felt like sharing them there was giving them up for good #but like. rn i dunno if i feel up for returning to them #(felt like this even before; uh. Everything™️) #but i suppose; even if i did share them; it's not like there's anything stopping me from picking them up again in the future? #so like. i might return to them someday #but uhhhhhh. not anytime soon ig. been trying to write for a different fandom recently #was also debating doing this sort of thing on my main as well; but been hesitating for the same reasons. #feel more comfy doing it for this account cuz i already got a scrap bin;; eksnksjska #anyway uh. yeah lemme know

[x-pair-o-dice-x]

uh. hi.

i wasn’t sure if i wanted to say anything? about the situation? ‘cause other people in the community have spoken about it better than i could?

but uhhh. i figure i might as well.

i think i’m gonna take a break from writing dsmp, just. in general. if not stop outright. not that i’ve been writing much, anyway- but still. ‘m officially labeling any wips i have as ‘on hiatus’.

i never wrote much of c!wilbur to begin with, g/t or not, but safe to say- i don’t feel comfortable writing his character currently. i know, cc! and c! are different and separated and stuff, i believe in that. but still? i think i need a break. assuming i come back to this fandom, that is.

not leaving the g/t community entirely, of course. i’ll continue to lurk and stuff! might post outlines of scrapped stuff,, both on my main and here. (sucks, i had one big fic on my main i’ve been working on and off on for nearly a year(not that i’ve finished the first chapter for it), but now i feel uncomfortable continuing it. oh well, i guess.)

if i ever get some ideas for g/t stuff for a different fandom, you might see me return? but for now, uh. see you later o7

#if you know my main; feel free to follow me there #‘cause i’ll definitely be more active there #god. sucks that she had to go through that. sending my support to her #<- not naming names bc i don’t want this to go in her tag or something like that #i’ve gotten a cc notice on this blog before and i do Not want that to happen again fkdndkfndknf

[x-pair-o-dice-x]

!!!!!! I LOVE I LOVE I LOVE!!!!!!

I drew Ranboo from @x-pair-o-dice-x 's by nature au! :D

#!!!! #by nature au #for me #they’re just a littol guy……… #holding so so gently!!!!!

[x-pair-o-dice-x]

felt like drawing more rovengers,, dkjdodndo

#my art #by nature au #mcyt gt #mcyt g/t #giant!bad #giant!dream #tiny!tubbo #giant!ranboo #giant!sapnap #giant!sam #messed with some of their designs a bit; but i think sam’s design changed the most #i mean. i actually redesigned him a long while ago; but i don’t think i ever shared it? #so here’s a little peak at what he looks like now #i tried drawing george and ant too but they didn’t look good and i’m too lazy to try again ldndksnsks

[x-pair-o-dice-x]

THE BY NATURE AU IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS EVER IF YOU WROTE SOMETHING FOR IT AGAIN ID LOSE MY SHIT

^me thinkin about the by nature au

dkhslsbsj– i’m tempted i’m tempted,,,,

if i ever get the motivation to write something for it, we’ll see!

#asks #very flattered you like it this much;;; kdbdkdndm #might try thinking of something short and simple; don’t have the energy for anything longer rn #especially since i already have so many long wips rn hhh

[x-pair-o-dice-x]

i miss my son, tails. i miss them a lot.

#mcyt gt #mcyt g/t #my art #giant!ranboo #by nature au #started thinkin 'bout this au again today #part of me kindaa wants to write something for it again? but uhh long story short i!ve got mixed feelings 'bout that #but anyway!!! decided to draw my favorite guy again kdjdksjsks #took me a hot second to remember how to draw rovengers; but i got there eventually skdjksjsks #actually. how many times have a drawn bn!ranboo digitally? 'cause i feel like i haven't done it a lot? #at least not in their rovenger form #regardless; #ratty happy with how it came out!!!

[x-pair-o-dice-x]

Things That May Be Causing Your Writer's Block- and How to Beat Them

I don't like the term 'Writer's Block' - not because it isn't real, but because the term is so vague that it's useless. Hundreds of issues all get lumped together under this one umbrella, making writer's block seem like this all-powerful boogeyman that's impossible to beat. Worse yet, it leaves people giving and receiving advice that is completely ineffective because people often don't realize they're talking about entirely different issues.

In my experience, the key to beating writer's block is figuring out what the block even is, so I put together a list of Actual Reasons why you may be struggling to write:

(note that any case of writer's block is usually a mix of two or more)

Perfectionism (most common)

What it looks like:

You write one sentence and spend the next hour googling "synonyms for ___"

Write. Erase. Write. Rewrite. Erase.

Should I even start writing this scene when I haven't figured out this one specific detail yet?

I hate everything I write

Cringing while writing

My first draft must be perfect, or else I'm a terrible writer

Things that can help:

Give yourself permission to suck

Keep in mind that nothing you write is going to be perfect, especially your first draft

Think of writing your first/early drafts not as writing, but sketching out a loose foundation to build upon later

People write multiple drafts for a reason: write now, edit later

Stop googling synonyms and save that for editing

Write with a pen to reduce temptation to erase

Embrace leaving blank spaces in your writing when you can't think of the right word, name, or detail

It's okay if your writing sucks. We all suck at some point. Embrace the growth mindset, and focus on getting words on a page

Lack of inspiration (easiest to fix)

What it looks like:

Head empty, no ideas

What do I even write about???

I don't have a plot, I just have an image

Want to write but no story to write

Things that can help:

Google writing prompts

If writing prompts aren't your thing, instead try thinking about what kind of tropes/genres/story elements you would like to try out

Instead of thinking about the story you would like to write, think about the story you would like to read, and write that

It's okay if you don't have a fully fleshed out story idea. Even if it's just an image or a line of dialogue, it's okay to write that. A story may or may not come out of it, but at least you got the creative juices flowing

Stop writing. Step away from your desk and let yourself naturally get inspired. Go for a walk, read a book, travel, play video games, research history, etc. Don't force ideas, but do open up your mind to them

If you're like me, world-building may come more naturally than plotting. Design the world first and let the story come later

Boredom/Understimulation (lost the flow)

What it looks like:

I know I should be writing but uugggghhhh I just can'tttttt

Writing words feels like pulling teeth

I started writing, but then I got bored/distracted

I enjoy the idea of writing, but the actual process makes me want to throw my laptop out the window

Things that can help:

Introduce stimulation: snacks, beverages, gum, music such as lo-fi, blankets, decorate your writing space, get a clickity-clackity keyboard, etc.

Add variety: write in a new location, try a new idea/different story for a day or so, switch up how you write (pen and paper vs. computer) or try voice recording or text-to-speech

Gamify writing: create an arbitrary challenge, such as trying to see how many words you can write in a set time and try to beat your high score

Find a writing buddy or join a writer's group

Give yourself a reward for every writing milestone, even if it's just writing a paragraph

Ask yourself whether this project you're working on is something you really want to be doing, and be honest with your answer

Intimidation/Procrastination (often related to perfectionism, but not always)

What it looks like:

I was feeling really motivated to write, but then I opened my laptop

I don't even know where to start

I love writing, but I can never seem to get started

I'll write tomorrow. I mean next week. Next month? Next month, I swear (doesn't write next month)

Can't find the time or energy

Unreasonable expectations (I should be able to write 10,000 words a day, right????)

Feeling discouraged and wondering why I'm even trying

Things that can help:

Follow the 2 min rule (or the 1 paragraph rule, which works better for me): whenever you sit down to write, tell yourself that you are only going to write for 2 minutes. If you feel like continuing once the 2 mins are up, go for it! Otherwise, stop. Force yourself to start but DO NOT force yourself to continue unless you feel like it. The more often you do this, the easier it will be to get started

Make getting started as easy as possible (i.e. minimize barriers: if getting up to get a notebook is stopping you from getting started, then write in the notes app of your phone)

Commit to a routine that will work for you. Baby steps are important here. Go with something that feels reasonable: every day, every other day, once a week, twice a week, and use cues to help you remember to start. If you chose a set time to write, just make sure that it's a time that feels natural to you- i.e. don't force yourself to writing at 9am every morning if you're not a morning person

Find a friend or a writing buddy you can trust and talk it out or share a piece of work you're proud of. Sometimes we just get a bit bogged down by criticism- either internal or external- and need a few words of encouragement

The Problem's Not You, It's Your Story (or Outline (or Process))

What it looks like:

I have no problems writing other scenes, it's just this scene

I started writing, but now I have no idea where I'm going

I don't think I'm doing this right

What's an outline?

Drowning in documents

This. Doesn't. Make. Sense. How do I get from this plot point to this one?!?!?! (this ColeyDoesThings quote lives in my head rent free cause BOY have I been there)

Things That Can Help:

Go back to the drawing board. Really try to get at the root of why a scene or story isn't working

A part of growing as a writer is learning when to kill your darlings. Sometimes you're trying to force an idea or scene that just doesn't work and you need to let it go

If you don't have an outline, write one

If you have an outline and it isn't working, rewrite it, or look up different ways to structure it

You may be trying to write as a pantser when you're really a plotter or vice versa. Experiment with different writing processes and see what feels most natural

Study story structures, starting with the three act structure. Even if you don't use them, you should know them

Check out Ellen Brock on YouTube. She's a professional novel editor who has a lot of advice on writing strategies for different types of writers

Also check out Savage Books on YouTube (another professional story editor) for advice on story structure and dialogue. Seriously, I cannot recommend this guy enough

Executive Dysfunction, Usually From ADHD/Autism

What it looks like:

Everything in boredom/understimulation

Everything in intimidation/procrastination

You have been diagnosed with and/or have symptoms of ADHD/Autism

Things that can help:

If you haven't already, seek a diagnosis or professional treatment

Hire an ADHD coach or other specialist that can help you work with your brain (I use Shimmer; feel free to DM me for a referral)

Seek out neurodiverse and neurodiverse writing communities for advice and support

Try body doubling! There's lot's of free online body doubling websites out there for you to try. If social anxiety is a barrier, start out with writing streams such as katecavanaughwrites on Twitch

Be aware of any sensory barriers that may be getting in the way of you writing (such as an uncomfortable desk chair, harsh lighting, bad sounds)

And Lastly, Burnout, Depression, or Other Mental Illness

What it looks like:

You have symptoms of burnout or depression

Struggling with all things, not just writing

It's more than a lack of motivation- the spark is just dead

Things that can help:

Forget writing for now. Focus on healing first.

Seek professional help

If you feel like it, use writing as a way to explore your feelings. It can take the form of journaling, poetry, an abstract reflection of your thoughts, narrative essays, or exploring what you're feeling through your fictional characters. The last two helped me rediscover my love of writing after I thought years of depression had killed it for good. Just don't force yourself to do so, and stop if it takes you to a darker place instead of feeling cathartic

[x-pair-o-dice-x]

okay now the drawing one,,,,,:

3 (what ideas came from when you were little)

7 (a medium of art you don't work in but appreciate)

10 (favorite piece of clothing to draw)

19 (favorite inanimate object(s) to draw)

— brick

3) What ideas came from when you were little?

i don't think any of them came from when i was little, honestly?

7) A medium of art you don't work in, but appreciate.

animation!! i've dabbled with it before(though, not on here),,, but i'm incredibly impressed by anyone who can animate, or do animatics, and stuff like that!!! it's so so so cool,,,,

10) Favorite piece of clothing to draw?

i like hoodies :D

19) Favorite inanimate object(s) to draw?

object? i don't really things there's any objects i would call a favorite to draw,,, dksnsksms.

#asks #thanks for the asks!!! giving you a cookie -> 🍪

[x-pair-o-dice-x]

halloooooo!!! i'll send the second ask game in another ask but for now i'm doing the emoji one !! :D

🌞,🦅, 👐, 🤯,💔

— brick

🌞 — Do you have a preferred time of day to write?

nnnnnot really? i tend to write late at night, but i wouldn't say i prefer writing then,,, dkdmkdks. (granted, i haven't been doing much writing lately, but uhh. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)

🦅 — Do you outline fics or fly by the seat of your pants?

okay, it's a mix of both? at first, i never really wrote outlines? but lately,, i've been experimenting with doing so for some of my fics.... mostly ones on my main, but there's a couple(or, like. one, i guess) outlines i wrote for fics on this account!

🤲 — Would you please share a snippet of a wip?

for crafty creations! bit stuck on now to continue it,, so i haven't made too much progress on it yet, h.

🤯 — What's a genre you struggle with as a writer (ex. romance, action, etc.)?

uhhhh,, i tend to have a hard time with action,, kdjdksjsk. i tend to write a lot of inner monologues, or dialogue, that i tend to forget that i also should be actioning stuff,,, odmdkdmmd. romance can also be hard, cuz uhhh. [glances at the aro flag hovering ominously above me]. yeah.

💔 — Is there a fic of yours that broke your heart?

mmmmmm.... by nature(soft vore warning), i guess? or prepare for the horrors(soft vore warning). i don't really tend to write super sad fics, though,, cuz that's not really the stuff i like to read, personally. i like happy endings and hugs and comfort,, ksjwosis. i guess prepare for the horrors is the closest one would get to that, though? 'cause while ranboo does end up okay in the end, it's not exactly like he got comforted at any point of the story,, dkdnsksjs. might change that if i ever get the motivation to continue writing a sequel, tho!

#asks #mcyt gt #mcyt g/t #vore mention tw

[x-pair-o-dice-x]

For the ask games 🤡 and 9 ?

Have bubbles 🫧 :>

oop– tumblr refused to tell me i got asks,, sorry for the late responses!!

🤡 — What's a line, scene, or exchange you've written that made you laugh?

oh god i need to reread some fics hold on gimme a sec,

mmm... i admit, most of the things i've written for this account weren't written specifically for laughs, so nothing immediately comes to mind? i mostly like writing hurt/comfort, so i don't typically add jokes,, skdmskms.

buuut,, i suppose there is maybe that one scene in chapter 3 of by nature (soft vore warning) where tommy starts pounding on sbi's door like he's playing the drums? idk, when i was writing it i found the idea pretty funny,, and i still kinda do,,, dodmldmdk.

9. — What are your file name conventions?

if i have a name for the fic or au, i tend to name it after the fic. otherwise, i tend to name it something like, uhh... "g/t allium duo mer mini fic",, dkcmdkdm. simple, and to the point,, skdmosm.

#asks #vore mention tw #thank you for the bubbles!!! #cookie for you -> 🍪

[x-pair-o-dice-x]

[slowly pushes the two ask games i reblogged last night at you guys' doorstep, looking at you with pleading eyes] 🥺👉👈 ?

#tbf i did rb them at like one am; so that might be why i didn't get any asks then;;; but. blease? send some mayhaps? #not rbing them again i'm lazy rljdodjdkd

[x-pair-o-dice-x]

Weirdly Specific Artist Ask Game

Didn't see a lot of artist ask games, wanted to make a silly one.

(I wrote this while sick out of my mind last year and it's been collecting dust in my drafts, I might as well let it run free) 1. Art programs you have but don't use

2. Is it easier to draw someone facing left or right (or forward even)

3. What ideas come from when you were little

4. Fav character/subject that's a bitch to draw

5. Estimate of how much of your art you post online vs. the art you keep for yourself

6. Anything that might inspire you subconsciously (i.e. this horse wasn't supposed to look like the Last Unicorn but I see it)

7. A medium of art you don't work in but appreciate

8. What's an old project idea that you've lost interest in

9. What are your file name conventions

10. Favorite piece of clothing to draw

11. Do you listen to anything while drawing? If so, what

12. Easiest part of body to draw

13. A creator who you admire but whose work isn't your thing

14. Any favorite motifs

15. *Where* do you draw (don't drop your ip address this just means do you doodle at a park or smth)

16. Something you are good at but don't really have fun doing

17. Do you eat/drink when drawing? if so, what

18. An estimate of how much art supplies you've broken

19. Favorite inanimate objects to draw (food, nature, etc.)

20. Something everyone else finds hard to draw but you enjoy

21. Art styles nothing like your own but you like anyways

22. What physical exercises do you do before drawing, if any

23. Do you use different layer modes

24. Do your references include stock images

25. Something your art has been compared to that you were NOT inspired by

26. What's a piece that got a wildly different interpretation from what you intended

27. Do you warm up before getting to the good stuff? If so, what is it you draw to warm up with

28. Any art events you have participated in the past (like zines)

29. Media you love, but doesn't inspire you artistically

30. What piece of yours do you think is underrated

#srb